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En garde! Zorro the cat fights for rights |
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The legend that is Zorro has had many incarnations over the years. Its latest has evolved from the black-clad masked outlaw, defender of the people against tyrannical officials, into a cat crusader campaigning for animal rights everywhere.
Zorro is a feline who travels across the globe, with stops in Sherbrooke, Granby, and other parts of the Townships planned over the next two weeks, raising money for the SPCA and the World Wildlife Fund along the way.
Each of his voyages is documented by photograph. Well. Sort of.
“Zorro is a virtual tourist,” said Eric Pepin, Zorro’s owner. “He is Photoshopped onto a picture of a historical landmark or vacation spot submitted by visitors to his website. Then, the picture with his likeness is made to look like a postcard, thus documenting his virtual travels. In turn, a donation is made to either the SPCA or the WWF on behalf of the person who sent in a photo.”
Pepin, born in Montreal but who lived in Sherbrooke for 20 years, eventually moved to Ottawa to attend school, and then settled in the nation’s capital working as an interior designer.
In search of a hobby, Pepin created the website, combining several different interests.
“I’ve been donating money to different causes for years, and I knew that I wanted to make a website with that idea in mind. I love to travel as well, learning about the world. Since Zorro rules our household, the merger seemed like a natural step,” Pepin said.
According to his owner, Zorro was born in the summer of 2001, and is very stubborn but affectionate, and his spirit was the inspiration behind this Internet pursuit launched in December 2007.
“He loves to escape in our building’s hallway and since he shows such willingness to travel, we thought we’d send him on virtual trips around the world and learn about different places,” said the 36-year-old cat lover. “No other name than Zorro was truly worthy due in part to his black mask and cape, goatee, sharp claws and urge to explore.”
And, in the spirit of his namesake, Zorro has been fighting for the less fortunate ever since.
For each photo submission, Pepin offers the sender $2 for the publishing rights, and he and his girlfriend donate $5 to either the SPCA or the WWF in their name. The correspondent then decides to accept the $2, or adds it to either of the charities he or she chooses. The photo, once on the website, appears as a postcard with information about its origins, and a link to a website with more information about its location.
“The website started out small, using photos from friends and relatives, but it has grown over the last few months tremendously. There have been 7,000 visitors to the site so far, with over 100 submissions and $228 in donations. I get about 20 emails a day asking how to go about submitting a photo. Right now, I am not refusing any photo submissions, but my donations are set at $35 a day,” Pepin said.
These contributions to the SPCA and the WWF are entirely out of Pepin’s pocket, including the cost of running the website.
“I am not in this for money, it truly is a hobby and an opportunity to help animals while learning about the world. I get people writing in about the controversies surrounding these organizations we raise money for, but it’s not about the politics, it’s just about doing some good and education,” Pepin said.
As for the future, Pepin said that he never expected such a large response, but he hopes to get the website sponsored in order to raise more money, as well as possibly starting a Zorro fan club.
Until the fan club is off the ground, visit www.zorro-the-cat.com to learn more about the fortudinous feline.
By Joe Strizzi
July 29, 2008 |
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Montreal Canadiens
